Anglo Arab Organisation organises debate to review impact of delegation’s trip to Lebanon, Syria.

LONDON - The Anglo Arab Organisation (AAO), headed by its President Nadhmi Auchi, organised a debate in Portcullis House in London regarding the impact of its delegation’s visit to Syria and Lebanon.

Among those present in the debate was Clare Short, MP, former British International Development Secretary and 21 British MPs and members of the House of Lords. The British Ambassador to Lebanon Ms Frances Guy and many Arab ambassadors to the UK were also present.

Auchi kick-started the debate by briefing the guests on AAO’s successful trip to Syria and Lebanon where the delegation met with both countries’ leaders.

Auchi said the delegation held talks with President Assad of Syria about the Palestinian issue and the current situation in Lebanon, adding that future trips of a similar nature are contemplated.

“AAO plans trips to other Arab countries to promote understanding and bridge cultures with the West,” he noted.

While acknowledging the positive impact of the AAO initiative, John Grogan, MP, urged the organisation to set its sights even higher by meeting top level politicians in the UK in order to promote peace and understanding between the West and the East.

Laurence Robertson, MP, expressed agreement with Assad’s remark that there was no such thing called “British foreign policy.”

He noted that “it is frustrating that the representation of Arab countries is not well organised.”

“AAO can have a constructive role in organising and lobbying effectively in the future,” he concluded.

Hailing the warm welcome she received in Lebanon and Syria, Clare Short said the situation in Lebanon is very worrying and depressing.

She pointed out to the deliberate by Israeli army south of Lebanon during last year’s conflict.

“You can see how deliberately the Israeli army targeted some villages from others,” she said.

She expressed her pessimism about “what is happening in the Middle East” and insisted that progress “needs to be made about the Palestinian issue.”

Short called for more Arab lobbying to help put pressure on the West regarding the crises in the region.

“AAO needs a long term plan to sustain dialogue between the West and the East,” she went on.

Short touched on the suffering of Palestinian children who are fighting Israeli tanks with stones. “The morality of what we are saying is not coming across. We need to see a fair policy in the future” she said.

Lawrence Robert, MP, said the trip to Syria and Lebanon had helped him learn about the complexities in the Middle East.

“I hope this visit could bring an understanding and good relations between the UK and the Middle East,” he said.

President of the Arab Layers association in the UK, Sabah Al-Mukhtar, said that Britain has not applied the same standards in the Middle East as in Northern Ireland.

The Anglo Arab Organization is a non-governmental organization that tries to build political and economic bridges between Britain and the Arab World.